Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Court sets aside Crooks' entry of default against Ridgeland

The U.S. District Court set aside Mike Crook's entry of default in his lawsuit against the City of Ridgeland, its Mayor, and several police officers for his arrest two years ago. Mr. Crook and his wife filed suit earlier this year seeking $700,000 in damages. Phelps Dunbar, the firm representing the defendants, requested additional time to answer the complaint, which the judge granted. The answer was due June 21, 2010. No answer was filed for an additional two weeks. Mr. Crook filed an application for default and the clerk entered a default in the case. However, the court had not yet awarded a default judgment. Phelps Dunbar filed its answer several minutes after the default was entered by the clerk. Mr. Crook filed a motion with the arguing the court should grant him a judgment. It should be noted the Crooks are representing themselves.

The court gave serious consideration to the fact the attorney working the case was suddenly forced to leave the office as she had a child who required immediate surgery. The court stated "contrary to plaintiffs’ contention otherwise, defendants’ failure to timely answer was neither willful nor intentional but rather was merely inadvertent." The court also ruled the Crooks would suffer little harm in that "the only prejudice that the Crooks allege to have suffered is the time spent researching their motion for the clerk’s entry of default and the fact that, if the court sets asides the entry of default and allows defendants to answer, they will have to litigate their claims. This simply is not the type of prejudice contemplated by law." Order, Plaintiff's response to Defendant's objection

Numerous attorneys informed me after I first posted about the case the judge would take the action it did in this ruling. Judges like to hear the cases on their merits and are loathe to see them decided on technicalities such as deadlines. It is also no secret judges tend to be a little more harsh in their dealings with parties representing themselves. Mr. Crook also filed yesterday a Motion to Strike All Pleadings filed since June 21. Copy of motion. The Crooks argue the Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the responses and motions filed by the defendants after June 21 because they did not seek permission from the court first to file them after the June 21 deadline. It pretty clear Judge Lee wants the case to proceed to a trial or settlement and will thus probably deny this motion as well.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some how his name seems appropriate. Poetic justice perhaps?

Randy said...

These folks dont have a chance....complete waste of time.

Anonymous said...

It's not a waste of time. Only in Mississippi is being harassed by police officers considered to an okay behavior.

In any non-pleistocene era state, people understand that.

But, don't worry. More tort reform will keep those honest cops and above-corruption city departments from being frivolously sued.

Anonymous said...

Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

Anonymous said...

Yes, so true. That's why we have the Gunslinger law and the Castle Doctrine.

Anonymous said...

Ridgeland PD step all over peoples rights every day...this is nothing new.

Kingfish said...

KIM Waaaaaaaaade went off about this yesterday.

Anonymous said...

I believe Kim said: Something got to be did about this!


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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